Breaking the Silence: My Journey with Anti-Depressants and Movement Therapy
In a world where mental health is finally gaining the recognition it deserves, one topic still seems to lurk in the shadows: antidepressants. Despite their prevalence in our society, there's a palpable silence surrounding them. It's as though we're all tiptoeing around the subject, afraid to acknowledge their existence, let alone discuss our experiences with them openly. But why?
I've found myself pondering this question a lot lately, especially as I navigate my own journey with antidepressants. For the past month, I've been trying to wean myself off them, a process that's proven to be far more challenging than I initially anticipated. The stigma attached to antidepressants becomes even more apparent during moments like these. It's almost as if we're expected to quietly swallow our pills and carry on as though nothing has changed, as though we're not grappling with our own internal battles every single day.
But here's the thing: I refuse to let the stigma surrounding antidepressants dictate my narrative. Yes, coming off them has been tough. Yes, there have been days when I've questioned whether I made the right decision, especially as I chose to stop taking them “cold turkey”. But through it all, I've discovered something that has been an absolute game-changer for me: movement.
They say that movement is medicine, and I couldn't agree more. As I've delved deeper into my training to become a Movement is Medicine practitioner, I've experienced firsthand the transformative power it holds. This powerful method combining neuroscience with music and movement has been my anchor amidst the storm of uncertainty, guiding me back to a place of balance and stability time and time again. Not only is it revolutionising the way we view fitness and education, it also has the power to completely transform our daily lives. For me, integrating this practice into my days has allowed me to get out of my head, tune into my body and notice where I’m holding stress and tension. I can then shift it and return to a place of equilibrium- an essential part of regulating after coming off the pills!
I’ve been able to find my baseline once more! I’m able to naviagte challenges and stressful situations.
I’m able to deal with the tricky feelings and emotions as they appear, and so I’m able to complete the stress cycles when theyre activated, and leave me feeling ok.
But thats my journey. That’s not everyones experience!
It's disheartening to see so many people suffering in silence, battling their demons alone when there's a whole community out there waiting to support them. In the aftermath of the past few years, where the world seems to have been turned upside down, the prevalence of antidepressant usage has only increased. And yet, the dialogue surrounding them remains muted.
But it doesn't have to be this way. We have the power to change the narrative, to break down the barriers of shame and stigma that have kept us silent for far too long. We can start by sharing our stories, our journeys, our struggles—not just with going on antidepressants, but with being on them and, yes, even coming off them.
Because here's the truth: one person's story could be the lifeline that someone else desperately needs. Your journey could inspire hope in someone who feels as though they're drowning in despair. And as we embrace our own messiness, we pave the way for others to do the same. Your mess truly can become your message.
So let's start talking. Let's start sharing. Let's start lifting each other up, one conversation at a time. Together, we can break the silence surrounding antidepressants and, in doing so, create a world where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported on their journey toward healing.
Love Chloe XXX